Karkala: B Sadashiva Acharya (82), a senior member of the Vishwakarma community, who was known as a generous donor, died in a tragic mishap on Sunday.

He was walking on the footpath in front of his house by the side of the main road in the evening. An autorickshaw which went out of its driver’s control overshot the kerb. It hit Acharya direct.

He fell to the ground and was critically injured in the head. He was immediately taken to Manipal hospital but his life could not be saved.

He had founded the Borkatte Gangamma Charitable Trust and gave generous donations to the economically backward, without any publicity. He had made it a routine to distribute rice and utensils to a large number of poor peoplel on a designated day every year.

He also sponsored scholarships for hundreds of talented but unprivileged students from SSLC to post-graduation levels. He had also made ample contributions to the setting up of Vishwakarma Education Trusts in Hubballi, Dharwad, Udupi and other centres.

He is survived by wife, sons Prakash of Prakash Jewellers and Satish Acharya of Pawan Jewellers and five daughters.